The team are settled in and the coaching program has begun in earnest. We are camping at the polo club in Kitwe –not quite as salubrious as it sounds but homely all the same -and the UK volunteers have bonded well with their Zambian counterparts.

The first couple of days have been spent getting ourselves up to Kitwe and generally settling in and getting things organised for the coaching program. The settling in period has been made a little bit easier by a great welcome BBQ – or braai as it’s called over here- put on by Bonnie Mutale, President of Diggers rugby club and the hospitality of Tony T’s school where we all went for a swim after sorting the kit.

Today was the first day of coaching and subsequently our first morning porridge which warmed the cockles on a chilly morning. It is winter over here at the moment so there is a bit of a chill in the morning and evening yet blazing sunshine in the day time. Not a bad winter to be honest!

The 4 different coaching groups went off to their respective schools and from all accounts the enthusiasm of the kids blew everyone away as did their speed and guile which was evident before they even learnt the game. I also spotted more than one volunteer puffing and panting during the warm up bull dog game I watched this morning.

This evening it is back to camp for a campfire and some already very competitive games of pool. Flo is once again catering for the group and it would seem that the whole group has taken to the local cuisine without a second thought. Last night everyone sampled the delights of the local staple nshima and most went back for more.  I thought I’d test them tonight with the caterpillars we bought at the market today which Flo will fry in cooking oil until they are crunchy.

Life is good here in Zambia and the task of getting the kids ready for tournament day on Friday has started well.

We will keep you posted,

Regards

Dylan, Trevor and Chris     
Tour Leaders